Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit disposed at the back of the display panel, and a back cover disposed at the back of the backlight unit, wherein the backlight unit including a base layer, a plurality of substrates disposed on the base layer and separated from each other, and light sources disposed on the substrates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of copending application Ser. No.13/343,545, filed on Jan. 4, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(a) to Application No. 10-2011-0000965, filed in Korea on Jan. 5,2011, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference intothe present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to a display device.

Discussion of the Related Art

With the development of the information society, various demands fordisplay devices have been increasing. Various display devices, such asliquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs),electroluminescent displays (ELDs), and vacuum fluorescent displays(VFDs), have been recently studied and used to meet various demands forthe display devices. Among the display devices, a liquid crystal displaypanel of the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer, anda thin film transistor (TFT) substrate and a color filter substrate thatare positioned opposite each other with the liquid crystal layerinterposed therebetween. The liquid crystal display panel displays animage using light provided by a backlight unit of the liquid crystaldisplay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is a backlight unit including a base layer, aplurality of substrates disposed on the base layer and separated fromeach other, and light sources disposed on each of the substrates.

In another aspect, there is a display device including a display panel,a backlight unit disposed at the back of the display panel, and a backcover disposed at the back of the backlight unit, wherein the backlightunit including a base layer, a plurality of substrates disposed on thebase layer and separated from each other, and light sources disposed onthe substrates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a display device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the display device.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a backlight unit.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a backlight unit.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show backlight unit which performs direct light emission.

FIGS. 9 to 20 are views for explaining in more detail the backlight unitand display device according to the present invention;

FIGS. 21 to 33 are views for explaining in more detail a base layer; and

FIGS. 34 to 38 are views for explaining in more detail the configurationof the display device according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail embodiments of the inventionexamples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Sincethe present invention may be modified in various ways and may havevarious forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings andare described in detail in the present specification. However, it shouldbe understood that the present invention are not limited to specificdisclosed embodiments, but include all modifications, equivalents andsubstitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of thepresent invention.

The terms ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. may be used to describe variouscomponents, but the components are not limited by such tern's. The termsare used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from othercomponents. For example, a first component may be designated as a secondcomponent without departing from the scope of the present invention. Inthe same manner, the second component may be designated as the firstcomponent.

The term “and/or” encompasses both combinations of the plurality ofrelated items disclosed and any item from among the plurality of relateditems disclosed.

When an arbitrary component is described as “being connected to “or”being linked to” another component, this should be understood to meanthat still another component(s) may exist between them, although thearbitrary component may be directly connected to, or linked to, thesecond component. In contrast, when an arbitrary component is describedas “being directly connected to” or “being directly linked to” anothercomponent, this should be understood to mean that no component existsbetween them.

The terms used in the present application are used to describe onlyspecific embodiments or examples, and are not intended to limit thepresent invention. A singular expression can include a plural expressionas long as it does not have an apparently different meaning in context.

In the present application, the terms “include” and “have” should beunderstood to be intended to designate that illustrated features,numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereofexist and not to preclude the existence of one or more differentfeatures, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinationsthereof, or the possibility of the addition thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the terms which are used herein,including the technical or scientific term's, have the same meanings asthose that are generally understood by a person having ordinaryknowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. The termsdefined in a generally used dictionary must be understood to havemeanings identical to those used in the context of a related art, andare not to be construed to have ideal or excessively formal meaningsunless they are obviously specified in the present application.

The following embodiments of the present invention are provided to thoseskilled in the art in order to describe the present invention morecompletely. Accordingly, shapes and sizes of elements shown in thedrawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display panel is used as an example of adisplay panel. Other display panels may be used. For example, a plasmadisplay panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED) panel, and anorganic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel may be used.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a display device 1 which include a frontcover 30, a back cover 40, and a display module 20 between the frontcover 30 and the back cover 40.

The front cover 30 may cover the display module 20 and may include afront panel (not shown) formed of a substantially transparent materialcapable of transmitting light. The front panel is positioned over afront surface of the display module 20 to be spaced apart from the frontsurface of the display module 20 at a predetermined distance, therebyprotecting the display module 20 from an external impact.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the display device in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 2, the display module 20 of the display device 1 mayinclude a display panel 100 and a backlight unit 200.

The display panel 100 includes a color filter substrate 110 and a thinfilm transistor (TFT) substrate 120 that are positioned opposite eachother and are attached to each other with a uniform cell gaptherebetween. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) may be interposedbetween the color filter substrate 110 and the TFT substrate 120.

The color filter substrate 110 includes a plurality of pixels eachincluding red (R), green (G), and blue (B) subpixels and may generate ared, green, or blue image when light is applied to the pixels. In thisembodiment, each of the pixels includes the red, green, and bluesubpixels. Other structures may be used for the pixel. For example, eachpixel may include red, green, blue, and white (W) subpixels.

The TFT substrate 120 includes one or more switching elements and mayswitch on and off corresponding pixel electrodes.

The liquid crystal layer is comprised of liquid crystal molecules. Thearrangement of the liquid crystal molecules may vary depending on avoltage difference between a pixel electrode (not shown) and a commonelectrode (not shown). Hence, light provided by the backlight unit 200may be incident on the color filter substrate 110 based on changes inthe arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystallayer.

An upper polarizing plate 130 and a lower polarizing plate 140 may berespectively positioned on an upper surface and a lower surface of thedisplay panel 100. More particularly, the upper polarizing plate 130 maybe positioned on an upper surface of the color filter substrate 110, andthe lower polarizing plate 140 may be positioned on a lower surface ofthe TFT substrate 120.

A gate driver (not shown) and a data driver (not shown), each of whichgenerates a driving signal for driving the display panel 100, may beprovided on the side of the display panel 100. The above-describedconfiguration of the display panel 100 is merely one example; otherconfigurations may be used for the display panel 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display module 20 may be configured so that thebacklight unit 200 adheres closely to the display panel 100. Forexample, the backlight unit 200 may be attached and fixed to the lowersurface of the display panel 100, more particularly the lower polarizingplate 140. For this, an adhesive layer (not shown) may be formed betweenthe lower polarizing plate 140 and the backlight unit 200.

As described above, because the display device 1 is configured byclosely attaching the backlight unit 200 to the display panel 100, theentire thickness of the display device 1 may be reduced. Hence, anexternal appearance of the display device 1 may be improved.

Further, because a structure for fixing the backlight unit 200 isremoved, the structure and the manufacturing process of the displaydevice 1 may be simplified.

Further, because a space between the backlight unit 200 and the displaypanel 100 is reduced, foreign substances may be prevented frompenetrating into the space. Hence, a malfunction of the display device 1and a reduction in the image quality of the display device 1 resultingfrom the foreign substances may be prevented.

In this embodiment, the backlight unit 200 may have a structure in whicha plurality of functional layers are sequentially stacked, and at leastone of the plurality of functional layers may include a plurality oflight sources (not shown).

Each of the plurality of functional layers constituting the backlightunit 200 may be formed of a flexible material, so that the backlightunit 200 is closely attached and fixed to the lower surface of thedisplay panel 100. Further, a frame (not shown) for stably positioningthe backlight unit 200 may be provided under the backlight unit 200.

The display panel 100 according to one embodiment may be divided into aplurality of regions. Brightness (i.e., brightness of the correspondinglight source) of light emitted from a region of the backlight unit 200corresponding to each of the divided regions of the display panel 100 isadjusted based on a gray peak value or a color coordinate signal of eachdivided region. Hence, a luminance of the display panel 100 may beadjusted. For this, the backlight unit 200 may operate, so that regionsof the backlight unit 200 respectively corresponding to the dividedregions of the display panel 100 are dividedly driven.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the backlightunit. As shown in FIG. 3, the backlight unit 200 may include a substrate210, a plurality of light sources 220, a resin layer 230, and areflection layer 240.

The plurality of light sources 220 may be formed on the substrate 210,and the resin layer 230 may be formed on the substrate 210 to cover thelight sources 220.

A connector (not shown) and an electrode pattern (not shown) forconnecting the light sources 220 to one another may be formed on thesubstrate 210. For example, a carbon nanotube electrode pattern (notshown) for connecting the light sources 220 to the connector may beformed on an upper surface of the substrate 210. The connector may beelectrically connected to a power supply unit (not shown) for supplyinga power to the light sources 220.

The substrate 210 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) formed ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, polycarbonate (PC), or silicon.Further, the substrate 210 may be a film substrate.

The light source 220 may be one of a light emitting diode (LED) chip anda light emitting diode package having at least one light emitting diodechip. In the embodiment of the invention, the light emitting diodepackage is described as an example of the light source 220.

The light source 220 may be configured by a colored LED emitting atleast one of red light, green light, blue light, etc. or a white LEDemitting white light. In addition, the colored LED may include at leastone of a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LED. The disposition andemitting light of the light emitting diode may be variously changedwithin a technical scope of the embodiment.

The resin layer 230 positioned on the substrate 210 transmits lightemitted from the light sources 220, and at the same time diffuses thelight emitted from the light sources 220, thereby allowing the lightsources 220 to uniformly provide the light to the display panel 100.

The reflection layer 240 may be positioned between the substrate 210 andthe resin layer 230, more particularly on the upper surface of thesubstrate 210. The reflection layer 240 may reflect light emitted fromthe light sources 220 and may again reflect light totally reflected froma boundary between the resin layer 230 and the reflection layer 240,thereby more widely diffusing the light emitted from the light sources220.

The reflection layer 240 may select a sheet in which a white pigment,for example, titan white is dispersed, a sheet in which a metaldeposition layer is stacked on the surface of the sheet, a sheet inwhich bubbles are dispersed so as to scatter light, etc. among varioustypes of sheets formed of synthetic resin material. Silver (Ag) may becoated on the surface of the reflection layer 240 so as to increase areflectance. The reflection layer 240 may be formed by coating a resinon the upper surface of the substrate 210.

The resin layer 230 may be formed of various kinds of resins capable oftransmitting light. For example, the resin layer 230 may contain one orat least two selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene, polyethylene,polystyrene, polyepoxy, silicon, acryl, etc.

Further, a refractive index of the resin layer 230 may be approximately1.4 to 1.6, so that the backlight unit 200 has a uniform luminance bydiffusing light emitted from the light sources 220.

The resin layer 230 may contain a polymer resin having an adhesion so asto tightly and closely adhere to the light sources 220 and thereflection layer 240. For example, the resin layer 230 may contain anacrylic resin such as unsaturated polyester, methyl methacrylate, ethylmethacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, normal butyl methacrylate, normalbutylmethylmethacrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, hydroxy propylmethacrylate, hydroxy ethylacrylate,acrylamide, methylol acrylamide, glycidyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate,isobutylacrlate, normal butylacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate polymer,copolymer, or terpolymer, etc., an urethane resin, an epoxy resin, amelamine resin, etc.

The resin layer 230 may be formed by coating and curing a liquid orgel-type resin on the upper surface of the substrate 210 on which thelight sources 220 and the reflection layer 240 are formed.Alternatively, the resin layer 230 may be separately manufactured andthen may be attached to the upper surface of the substrate 210.

As a thickness of the resin layer 230 increases, light emitted from thelight sources 220 may be more widely diffused. Hence, the backlight unit200 may provide light having the uniform luminance to the display panel100. However, as the thickness of the resin layer 230 increases, anamount of light absorbed in the resin layer 230 may increase. Hence, theluminance of light which the backlight unit 200 provides to the displaypanel 100 may entirely decrease. Accordingly, the thickness of the resinlayer 230 may be approximately 0.1 mm to 4.5 mm, so that the backlightunit 200 can provide light having the uniform luminance to the displaypanel 100 without an excessive reduction in the luminance of light.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the backlight unit. In thisembodiment, the plurality of light sources 220 may be mounted on thesubstrate 210, and the resin layer 230 may be disposed on the uppersurface of the substrate 210. The reflection layer 240 may be formedbetween the substrate 210 and the resin layer 230.

The resin layer 230 may include a plurality of scattering particles 231.The scattering particles 231 may scatter or refract light incident onthe resin layer 230, thereby more widely diffusing light emitted fromthe light sources 220.

The scattering particles 231 may be formed of a material having arefractive index different from a formation material of the resin layer230 so as to scatter or refract the light emitted from the light source220. More particularly, the scattering particles 231 may be formed of amaterial having a refractive index greater than silicon-based resin oracrylic resin forming the resin layer 230.

For example, the scattering particles 231 may be formed ofpolymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/styrene copolymer (MS),polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), silicon, titaniumdioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), or a combination thereof.Further, the scattering particles 231 may be formed of a material havinga refractive index less than the formation material of the resin layer230.

For example, the scattering particles 231 may be formed by generatingbubbles in the resin layer 230. Other materials may be used for thescattering particles 231. For example, the scattering particle 231 maybe formed using various polymer materials or inorganic particles.

In this embodiment, scattering particles 231 may be formed of a materialhaving a refractive index than less a formation material of resin layer230. For example, the scattering particles 231 may be formed by formingbubbles in the resin layer 230. A formation material of the scatteringparticles 231 is not limited to the above-described material and may beformed of various polymer materials or various inorganic materials.

In one embodiment, the resin layer 230 may be formed by mixing theliquid or gel-type resin with the scattering particles 231 and thencoating and curing a mixture on the upper surface of the substrate 210on which the light sources 220 and the reflection layer 240 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, an optical sheet 250 may be disposed on the top ofthe second layer 230. The optical sheet 250 may include at least oneprism sheet 251 and/or at least one diffusion sheet 252. In thisinstance, a plurality of sheets constituting optical sheet 250 are notseparated from one another and are attached to one another. Thus, thethickness of the optical sheet 250 or the thickness of the backlightunit 200 may be reduced.

A lower surface of the optical sheet 250 may closely adhere to the resinlayer 230, and an upper surface of the optical sheet 250 may closelyadhere to the lower surface of the display panel 110, i.e., the lowerpolarizing plate 140.

The diffusion sheet 252 may diffuse incident light to thereby preventlight coming from the resin layer 230 from being partially concentrated.Hence, the diffusion sheet 252 may further uniformize the luminance oflight. Further, the prism sheet 251 may focus light coming from thediffusion sheet 252, thereby allowing the light to be verticallyincident on the display panel 110.

In one embodiment, at least one of the prism sheet 251 and diffusionsheet 252 constituting the optical sheet 250 may be removed. The opticalsheet 250 may further include other functional layers in addition to theprism sheet 251 and the diffusion sheet 252.

In a backlight unit which performs direct light emissions, an LEDpackage constituting the light sources 220 may be classified into a topview type LED package and a side view type LED package based on a facingdirection of a light emitting surface of the LED package.

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a backlight unit which performs direct lightemissions. More specifically, FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively illustrate atop view type LED package and a side view type LED package in the directlight emitting manner of the backlight unit.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of light sources 220 of thebacklight unit 200 has a light emitting surface on an upper surface ofeach light source 220. Thus, the plurality of light sources 220 may emitlight in an upward direction, for example, in a direction perpendicularto the substrate 210 or the reflection layer 240.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of light sources 220 of thebacklight unit 200 has the light emitting surface at the side of eachlight source 220. Thus, the plurality of light sources 220 may emitlight in a lateral direction, for example, an extension direction of thesubstrate 210 or the reflection layer 240. For example, the plurality oflight sources 220 may be configured using the side view type LEDpackage. As a result, it is possible to reduce a problem that the lightsources 220 are observed as a hot spot on the screen of the displaypanel 100. Furthermore, the thin profile of the display device 1 may beachieved because of a reduction of the thickness “a” of the resin layer230.

As shown in FIG. 7, the backlight unit 200 may include a plurality ofresin layers 230 and 235. As shown in FIG. 7, light emitted from theside of the light source 220 may be transmitted by the first resin layer230 and may travel in a formation area of a light source 225 adjacent tothe light source 220.

A portion of light transmitted by the first resin layer 230 may beemitted in an upward direction corresponding to a direction of thedisplay panel 100. For this, the first resin layer 230 may include aplurality of scattering particles 231 as described above with referenceto FIG. 4 and may scatter or refract light travelling in the upwarddirection

A portion of light emitted from the light source 220 may be incident onthe reflection layer 240, and the light incident on the reflection layer240 may be reflected and diffused in the upward direction.

A large amount of light may be emitted in an area around the lightsource 220 because of a strong scattering phenomenon around the lightsource 220 or light emitted from the light source 220 in a directionsimilar to the upward direction. Hence, light having a high luminancemay be observed on the screen.

To prevent this, as shown in FIG. 7, a first light shielding pattern 260may be formed on the first resin layer 230 to reduce a luminance oflight emitted in an area around the light source 220. Hence, thebacklight unit 200 may emit light having the uniform luminance. Forexample, the first light shielding pattern 260 may be formed on thefirst resin layer 230 corresponding to the formation area of theplurality of light sources 220 to shield a potion of light from thelight source 220 and to transmit a portion of the remaining light.Hence, the first light shielding pattern 260 may reduce the luminance oflight emitted upward.

The first light shielding pattern 260 may be formed of titanium dioxide(TiO2). In this instance, the first light shielding pattern 260 mayreflect downward a potion of light from the light source 220 and maytransmit a portion of the remaining light.

In one embodiment, a second resin layer 235 may be disposed on the firstresins layer 230. The second resin layer 235 may be formed of the samematerial as or a different material from the first resins layer 230. Thesecond resin layer 235 may diffuse light upward emitted from the firstresins layer 230, thereby improving the uniformity of the luminance oflight from the backlight unit 200.

The second resin layer 235 may be formed of a material having arefractive index equal to or different from the refractive index of theformation material of the first resins layer 230. When the second resinlayer 235 is formed of the material having the refractive index greaterthan the refractive index of the first resins layer 230, the secondresin layer 235 may widely diffuse light from the first resin layer 230.

When the second resin layer 235 is formed of the material having therefractive index less than the refractive index of the first resin layer230, light from the first resin layer 230 may increase a reflectance oflight reflected from a lower surface of the second resin layer 235.Hence, light from the light source 220 may easily travel along the firstresin layer 230.

Each of the first resin layer 230 and the second resin layer 235 mayinclude a plurality of scattering particles. In this instance, a densityof the scattering particles of the second resin layer 235 may be greaterthan a density of the scattering particles of the first resin layer 230.When the second resin layer 235 includes the scattering particles havingthe density greater than the first resin layer 230, the second resinlayer 235 may widely diffuse light upward emitted from the first resinlayer 230. Hence, the uniformity of the luminance of light from thebacklight unit 200 may be improved.

As shown in FIG. 7, a second light shielding pattern 265 may be formedon the second resin layer 235 to uniformize the luminance of light fromthe second resin layer 235. For example, when light upward emitted fromthe second resin layer 235 is concentrated in a specific potion and thusis observed on the screen as the light having the high luminance, thesecond light shielding pattern 265 may be formed in an areacorresponding to a specific potion of an upper surface of the secondresin layer 235. Hence, because the second light shielding pattern 265may reduce the luminance of light in the specific potion, the luminanceof light emitted from the backlight unit 200 may be uniform.

The second light shielding pattern 265 may be formed of titanium dioxide(TiO2). In this instance, the second light shielding pattern 265 mayreflect downward a potion of light from the second resin layer 235 andmay transmit a portion of the remaining light.

As shown in FIG. 8, a pattern may be formed on the reflection layer 240,thereby facilitating a travel of light emitted from the light source 220to the light source 225 adjacent to the light source 220. The pattern onan upper surface of the reflection layer 240 may include a plurality ofprotrusions 241. Light that is emitted from the light source 220 andthen is incident on the plurality of protrusions 241 may be scattered orrefracted in a direction indicated by an arrow of FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, a density of the protrusions 241 formed on thereflection layer 240 may increase as a separated distance between theprotrusions 241 and the light source 220 increases (i.e., as theprotrusions 241 are close to the light source 225). Hence, a reductionin a luminance of upward emitted light in an area distant from the lightsource 220 (i.e., in an area near to the light source 225) may beprevented. As a result, the luminance of light provided by the backlightunit 200 may be uniformized.

The protrusions 241 may be formed of the same material as the reflectionlayer 240. In this instance, the protrusions 241 may be formed byprocessing the upper surface of the reflection layer 240. Alternatively,the protrusions 241 may be formed of a material different from thereflection layer 240. In this instance, the protrusions 241 may beformed by printing the pattern on the upper surface of the reflectionlayer 240. The shape of the protrusions 241 is not limited to a shapeshown in FIG. 8 and may be variously changed. For example, other shapessuch as a prism shape may be used.

FIGS. 9 to 20 are views for explaining in more detail the backlight unitand display device according to the present invention. It is noted thatthe description of parts which have been described in detail above willbe omitted. For example, the light shielding pattern 260, protrusions,etc. that have been described in detail above can be applied to thefollowing configuration. Also, light sources 220 to be described belowmay be at least one of a side-view type and a top-view type.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of light sources 220 may be disposed ona substrate 210. For example, a plurality of light sources 210 can bedisposed in a stripe type on a substrate 210. In other words, aplurality of light sources 220 can be disposed in a straight line on asubstrate 210.

Moreover, a transmission line 2400 for transmitting a driving signalsupplied from an external driver may be formed on the substrate 220. Thetransmission line 2400 may be an electrode pattern.

The transmission line 2400 or electrode pattern of this type has beendescribed above in FIG. 3.

In addition, a connector 900 for connecting a cable (not shown) may bedisposed on the substrate 210 to electrically connect an external driverto the substrate 210 where the light sources 220 are disposed.

A plurality of substrates 210 of this type may be disposed on a baselayer.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of substrates 210 may bedisposed, separated from each another, on the base layer 10. Preferably,a plurality of substrates 210 may be disposed in parallel, separatedfrom each other, on the base layer 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first substrate 211, second substrate 212, andthird substrate 213, among the plurality of substrates 210, may bedisposed, separated from each other at a predetermined distance, on thebase layer 10.

Here, the distance between two adjacent substrates 210, for example, thegap R1 between the first substrate 211 and the second substrate 212, maybe greater than the width of one substrate 210, for example, the widthR2 of the first substrate 211.

In contrast to the present invention, a comparative example in which thebase layer 10 is not used will be described below with reference to FIG.11.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a display device according to the comparativeexample, a plurality of light sources 220 may be disposed on a substrate210. Also, a reflection layer 240 may be disposed on top of thesubstrate 210, and a resin layer 230 may be disposed on top of thereflection layer 240.

In this case, the size of the substrate 210 may be excessivelyincreased, and accordingly the manufacturing cost may be excessivelyincreased, and the workability of an operation for disposing/forming aplurality of light sources 220 and transmission lines 2400 on thesubstrate 210 may become poor.

On the other hand, in the case that a plurality of substrates 210 aredisposed on the base layer 10 as in the present invention, the size ofthe respective substrates 210 may be reduced, thereby lowering themanufacturing cost. Also, the workability of a manufacturing process ofthe respective substrates 210 may be excellent because the number oftransmission lines 2400 and light sources 220 formed/disposed on therespective substrates 210 in the manufacturing process is relativelysmall.

Moreover, the base layer 10 may be made of a rather cheap materialbecause the transmission lines 2400 and the lights sources 220 areformed on the base layer 10, thereby further reducing the manufacturingcost.

Referring to FIG. 12, an adhesive layer 300 may be disposed between thebase layer 10 and the substrates 210. The adhesive layer 300 can attachthe substrates 210 to the base layer 10, and also can transmit lightgenerated from the substrates 210 and/or the light sources 200 to thebase layer 10. To this end, the adhesive layer 300 can include athermally conductive material, for example, metal particles.

Referring to FIG. 13, the reflection layer 240 may include portionsdisposed on the surface of the base layer 10. For example, thereflection layer 240 may include portions disposed in the area betweentwo adjacent substrates 210.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, the reflection layer 240 may includeportions A2 disposed on the surface of the base layer 10 and portions A1and A3 overlapping with the substrates 210. Here, the portions A1 and A3overlapping with the substrates 210 may be portions disposed on thesurfaces of the substrates 210. Also, the portions A2 disposed on thesurface of the base layer 10 may be portions overlapping with the baselayer 10. The portions A2 of the reflection layer 240 overlapping withthe base layer 10 may be in contact with the base layer 10.

In this case, the width of the portions A2 of the reflection layer 240disposed on the surface of the base layer 10 may be greater than thewidth of the portions A1 and A3 overlapping with the substrates 210.

Meanwhile, the plurality of light sources 220 disposed on the substrates210 may be arranged in various patterns.

For example, as shown in (A) of FIG. 15, a plurality of light sources220 may be disposed in a straight line on a substrate 210. In this case,it can be viewed that the plurality of light sources 220 disposed on thesubstrate 210 are arranged in a vertical direction DRV.

Alternatively, as shown in (B) of FIG. 15, a plurality of light sources220 may be arranged along a plurality of rows on a substrate 210. Inthis case, it can be viewed that at least two light sources 220 arearranged on the substrate 210 in the vertical direction DRV, and atleast two of the remaining light sources 220 are arranged thereon in ahorizontal direction DRH. Here, it is not necessary for the verticaldirection DRV and the horizontal direction DRH to be orthogonal.

Alternatively, as shown in (C) of FIG. 15, it can be viewed that atleast two light sources 220 are arranged on the substrate 210 in thevertical direction DRV, and at least two of the remaining light sources220 are arranged in a diagonal direction between the vertical directionDRV and the horizontal direction DRH. In this case, it can be viewedthat the plurality of light sources 220 are arranged in a zigzag form.

As shown in FIG. 16, the light source 220 may include a light emittingface 600 for emitting light. As a predetermined light can be emittedfrom the light emitting face 600, the direction toward which the lightemitting face 600 faces can be regarded as a light emitting direction.

Referring to FIG. 17, the light emitting directions of the plurality oflight sources 220 disposed on a substrate 210 may be all the same. Forexample, if the light sources 220 are of the side-view type, lightsources 220 for emitting light in the same direction may be disposed ona predetermined substrate 220.

Alternatively, the light emitting directions of the light sources 220disposed on two predetermined substrates 210 among the plurality oflight sources 220 may be different. In other words, the light emittingdirection of the light sources disposed on the first substrate among theplurality of substrates 210 may be different from the light emittingdirection of the light sources disposed on the second substrate, whichis different from the first substrate.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the first light sources 221 disposedon the first substrate 210A among the plurality of substrates 210 mayemit light in the first direction DR1, and the second light sources 222disposed on the second substrate 210B adjacent to the first substrate210A may emit light in the second direction DR2 different from the firstdirection DR1. Here, the first direction DR1 and the second directionDR2 may be opposite to each other.

Moreover, the third light sources 223 disposed on the third substrate210C adjacent to the second substrate 210B may emit light in the firstdirection DR1.

In this case, it is possible to prevent a noise image of a specificpattern from being displayed on a screen along the light emittingdirection.

As such, if the light emitting directions of the light sources 220disposed on different substrates 210 are different from each other, thegaps between the substrates 210 may be different.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, in the case that the first lightsources 221 disposed on the first substrate 210A emit light in the firstdirection DR1, i.e., the direction facing the second substrate 210B, thesecond light sources 222 disposed on the second substrate 210B emitlight in the second direction DR2 different from the first directionDR1, i.e., the direction facing the first substrate 210A, and the thirdlight sources 223 disposed on the third substrate 210C adjacent to thesecond substrate 210B emit light in the first direction DR1, i.e., thedirection becoming distant from the second substrate 210B, the gap R3between the first substrate 210A and the second substrate 210B may begreater than the gap R4 between the second substrate 210B and the thirdsubstrate 210C.

In this case, it is possible to prevent a noise image of a specificpattern from being displayed on a screen along the light emittingdirection, and to prevent a hot-spot phenomenon in which the luminanceof a specific region is higher than the luminance of other regions.

Alternatively, the light emitting direction of at least one of theplurality of light sources 220 disposed on a substrate 210 may bedifferent from the light emitting direction of at least one of theremaining light sources 220.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the first light source 220A disposedon the first substrate 210-1 may emit light in the first direction DR1,and the second lights source 220B may emit light in the second directionDR2 different from the first direction DR1.

Here, if the gap Si between the first light source 220A and the secondsubstrate 210-2 adjacent to the first substrate 210-1 is greater thanthe gap S2 between the second light source 220B and the second substrate210-2, the first light source 220A may emit light in the directionfacing the second substrate 220B, and the second light source 220B mayemit light in the direction becoming distant from the second substrate220B.

FIGS. 21 to 33 are views for explaining in more detail the base layer.It is noted that the description of parts which have been described indetail above will be omitted.

The thickness of the base layer 10 may vary according to its position.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the thickness T12 of the base layer 10at a position corresponding to the region between two adjacentsubstrates 210 may be greater than the thickness Ti 1 of the base layer10 in the region overlapping with the substrate 210. In other words, thethickness T11 of the first portion 10A of the base layer 10 overlappingwith the substrate 210 may be less than the thickness T12 of the secondportion 10B not overlapping with the substrate 210.

To this end, a plurality of grooves 11 may be formed in the base layer10, and the respective substrates 210 may be positioned in the grooves11.

In this way, in the case that the grooves 11 are formed in the baselayer 10, and the substrates 210 are inserted into the grooves 11, thesubstrates 210 may be fixed to the base layer 10 without the use of anyadhesive layer. Therefore, the adhesive layer between the base layer 10and the substrates 210 may be omitted.

As such, in order to fix the plurality of substrates 210 to the baselayer 10, the plurality of grooves 11 may be formed in parallel in thebase layer 10 as shown in FIG. 22.

For example, it is assumed that the base layer 10 has an approximatelyrectangular shape, and the base layer 10 includes a first long side LS1,a second long side LS2 facing the first long side LS1, a second shortside SS2 adjacent to the first long side LS1 and the second long sideLS2, and a first short side SS1 facing the second short side SS2. Inthis case, the plurality of grooves 11 may be formed in parallel to thefirst and second short sides SS1 and SS2 of the base layer 10.

Here, the depth of the grooves 11 may be less than the height of thesubstrates 210. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the depth T1 of thegroove 11 formed in the base layer 10 may be less than the height T2 ofthe substrate 210 inserted into the groove 11. In this case, thesubstrate 210 may be protruded by a predetermined height from the baselayer 10.

Moreover, the reflection layer 240 may include portions positioned onthe surface of the base layer 10 and portions positioned on the surfaceof the substrate 210. Also, the reflection layer 240 may be spaced apartby a predetermined distance G1 from the light source 220.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 24, the depth T1 of the groove 11 formedin the base layer 10 may be greater than the height T2 of the substrate210 inserted into the groove 11. In this case, the substrate 210 may bepositioned lower than the surface of the base layer 10.

Even with this structure, the reflection layer 240 may include portionspositioned on the surface of the base layer 10 and portions positionedon the surface of the substrate 210.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25, if the depth T1 of the groove 11 isfurther increased, the depth T1 of the grooves 11 may be greater thanthe height T4 from the bottom of the substrate 210 to the top of thelight source 220. That is, the depth T1 of the groove 11 may be greaterthan the height T3 measured from the bottom of the substrate 220 to thetop of the light source 220. Moreover, the thickness T12 of the secondportion 10B of the base layer 10 is greater than the distance T4 fromthe bottom of the base layer 10 to the top of the light source 220.

With this structure, as shown in FIG. 26, it is possible to form a resinlayer 230 surrounding the substrate 210 and the light source 220.

In this case, the resin layer 230 may include a portion positionedwithin the groove 11.

Moreover, the resin layer 230 may include portions AR1 and Ar2positioned on top of the base layer 10. In this case, part of the resinlayer 230 may be in contact with the base layer 10. For example, theportions AR1 and AR2 of the resin layer 230 positioned on top of thebase layer 10 may be in contact with the base layer 10.

With this structure, in the case that the light source 220 is theside-view type that emits light laterally, the base layer 10 may beformed of a substantially transparent material.

Meanwhile, the resin layer 230 may include a recessed portion in theregion corresponding to the groove 11 of the base layer 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the resin layer 230 may include arecessed portion 230A whose surface is recessed by a predetermined depthT20 toward the bottom of the base layer 10. In this case, light emittedfrom the light sources 220 may be diffused more widely due to thedifference in the reflective index among a plurality of functionallayers positioned on top of the light source 220.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 28, the resin layer 230 may include aportion in which the depth T5 measured from the bottom of the base layer10 to the surface of the resin layer 230 is less than the maximumthickness T12 of the base layer 10. In other words, the resin layer 230may include a portion lowered by a predetermined depth T21 from thesurface of the base layer 10.

In this case, the resin layer 230 may be positioned substantially withinthe groove 11 of the base layer 10. Also, the portions of the base layer10, other than the groove 11, may not be blocked by the resin layer 230.

Meanwhile, the base layer 10 may include a portion whose thicknessgradually changes in the region between two adjacent substrates 210.Here, a groove 11 where the substrate 210 is disposed may be formed inthe base layer 10, or the groove 11 may not be formed therein. Thefollowing description will be made under the assumption that the groove11 is formed in the base layer 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the second portion 10B disposed in theregion between the first substrate 2900 and second substrate 2910disposed on the base layer 10 may include a portion whose thicknessgradually increase from the first portion 10A toward the center P of thesecond portion 10B. Here, the thickness of the base layer 10 mayincrease as the left region IP of the second portion 10B goes from thefirst substrate 2900 toward the center P of the second portion 10B, andthe thickness of the base layer 10 may increase as the right region DPof the second portion 10B goes from the second substrate 2910 toward thecenter P of the second portion 10B.

Alternatively, when the position at which the thickness of the secondportion 10B of the base layer 10 is maximum, i.e., the position havingthe maximum thickness in the region between the first substrate 2900 andsecond substrate 2910 on the base layer 10 is referred to as the firstposition P, the second portion 10B may include a portion whose thicknessincreases toward the first position P.

With this structure, the light sources 220 may emit light in thedirection facing the second portion 10B of the base layer 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the first light source 2901 disposedon the first substrate 2900 may emit light in the direction facing theleft region IP of the second portion 10B, and the second light source2902 disposed on the second substrate 2910 may emit light in thedirection facing the right region DP of the second portion 10B.

In this case, the light emitted from the first light source 2901 and thelight emitted from the second light source 2902 may be reflected towardthe front (the direction in which an image is displayed) in the portionof the reflection layer 240 corresponding to the second portion 10B ofthe base layer 10, and accordingly the optical characteristics may beimproved. More specifically, the loss of the light emitted from thefirst light source 2901 and the second light source 2902 can be reduced,thus improving luminance and enhancing light efficiency.

Moreover, the height of the position at which the thickness of thesecond portion 10B of the base layer 10 is maximum, i.e., the firstposition, may be less than the maximum height of the light sources 220.That is, the height measured from the bottom of the base layer 10 to thetop of the first position P of the second portion 10B may be less thanthe height measured from the bottom of the base layer 10 to the top ofthe light sources 220. In this case, a hot spot phenomenon where lightis concentrated at the first position P may be reduced.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 31, the maximum height of the lightemitting face 600 of the light source 220 measured from the bottom ofthe base layer 10, i.e., the first light source 2901, may be greaterthan the height measured from the bottom of the base layer 10 to the topof the first position P of the second portion 10B.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 32, the height of the position at whichthe thickness of the second portion 10B of the base layer 10 is maximum,i.e., the first position, may be greater than the maximum height of thelight sources 220. That is, the height measured from the bottom of thebase layer 10 to the top of the first position P of the second portion10B may be greater than the height measured from the bottom of the baselayer 10 to the top of the light sources 220.

In this case, the resin layer 230 covering the substrates 2900 to 2920and the light sources 2901 to 2903 may not be positioned at the firstposition P of the second portion 10B of the base layer 10. In otherwords, the second portion 10B may include portions not covered by theresin layer 230. Also, the reflection layer 240 may include portions notcovered by the resin layer 230.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 33, the rate of change in thickness perunit distance of the base layer 10 between the first position P of thesecond portion 10B of the base layer 10 and the first substrate 2900 maybe less than the rate of change in thickness per unit distance of thebase layer 10 between the first position P and the second substrate2910. In other words, the slope of the base layer 10 between the firstposition P of the second portion 10B of the base layer 10 and the firstsubstrate 2900 is slower than the slope of the base layer 10 between thefirst position P and the second substrate 2910.

In this case, the first light source 2901 disposed on the firstsubstrate 2900 may emit light in the direction facing the second portion10B, and the second light source 2902 disposed on the second substrate2910 may emit light in the direction becoming distant from the firstlight source 2901.

In this case, the optical characteristics may be further improved.

FIGS. 34 to 38 are views for explaining in more detail the configurationof the display device according to the present invention. It is notedthat the description of parts which have been described in detail abovewill be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 34, the display device according to the presentinvention may include a display module 20, a frame 14, a driving board15, and a back cover 40.

The display module 20 has been previously described in detail.

The frame 140 may be disposed at the back of the display module 20, morespecifically, at the back of a backlight unit 200. The frame 14 canprovide a holding power for supporting the backlight unit 200.

The driving board 15 may be disposed at the back of the frame 14. Thedriving board 15 can supply a driving signal to the electrodes of adisplay panel 10 included in the display module 20. Also, the drivingboard 15 can supply a driving signal to the backlight unit 200.Specifically, the driving board 15 can supply a driving signal to thelight sources 220 of the backlight unit 200.

The back cover 40 may be disposed at the back of the driving board 15.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 35, the light sources 220 may be disposed atthe front surface of the substrate 210, and a connector 900 may bedisposed at the back of the substrate 210.

The connector 900 may be electrically connected to at least one lightsource 220 disposed at the front surface of the substrate 210.Accordingly, the connector 900 electrically connects an external driver,i.e., a driving circuit, though not shown, and the light sources 220,thereby enabling the driving circuit to supply a driving voltage to thelight sources 220.

In addition, the connector 900 may include a first portion 910, a firstelectrode 930, and a second portion 920. Here, the first portion 910 maybe fixed to the back surface of the substrate 210. The first electrode930 may be formed on the first portion 910, and connected to a cable(not shown). The second portion 920 may apply pressure such that thecable is electrically attached to the first electrode 930. Furthermore,the cable electrically connected to the first electrode 930 is broughtinto electrical contact with an external driving circuit, and as aresult, the light source 220 and the external driving circuit may beelectrically connected to each other

FIG. 35 illustrates one example of the structure of the connector 900,and the present invention is not limited to the connector 900 of FIG.35. For instance, in the present invention, the second portion 920 maybe omitted, and the cable not shown may be attached to the first portion910 with an anisotropic adhesive containing conductive balls. In thiscase, the first electrode 930 of the connector 900 and the cable may beelectrically connected to each other by the conductive balls.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 36, the connector 900 may beelectrically connected to the second electrode 1100 formed on thesubstrate 210. Specifically, the second electrode 1100 may be formed onthe back surface of the substrate 210, and the third electrode 940 maybe formed on the bottom face of the first portion 910. The secondelectrode 1100 and the third electrode 940 may be electricallyconnected.

As such, in order to electrically connect the third electrode 940 of theconnector 900 and the second electrode 1100 formed on the substrate 210,an adhesive layer 1110 may be formed between the connector 900 and theback surface of the substrate 210, and the adhesive layer 1110 maycontain conductive particles 1111. Here, the conductive particles 1111may be conductive balls, and, although not shown, may consist of a coremade of a metallic material, such as silver Ag, and a coating coatedaround the core. The coating may include a material, such as carbon.

The third electrode 940 of the connector 900 and the second electrode1100 formed on the substrate 210 may be electrically connected by theconductive particles 1111 contained in the adhesive layer 1110.

Moreover, the first electrode 930 and second connector 940 of theconnector 900 may be connected to each other.

In addition, the second electrode 1100 disposed on the back surface ofthe substrate 210 may be electrically connected to the light sources 220disposed on the front surface of the substrate 210.

Accordingly, when the cable is connected to the first electrode 930 ofthe connector 900, the light sources 220 disposed on the front surfaceof the substrate 210 and the cable can be electrically connected.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 37, a hole 3600 may be formed in the baselayer 10. The hole 3600 formed in the base layer 10 is referred to asthe first hole 3600.

In addition, the connector 900 disposed on the substrate 210 may bedisposed at a position corresponding to the first hole 3600. Also, asecond hole 3610 may be formed in the frame 14.

Furthermore, the cable 3620 for electrically connecting the drivingboard 3630 disposed at the back of the frame 14 and the light source 220disposed on the substrate 210 may pass through the first hole 3600 andthe second hole 36710. Accordingly, the driving board 3630 and the lightsources 220 can be electrically connected.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 38, an adhesive layer 3800 may be disposedbetween the backlight unit 200 and the frame 14. Specifically, theadhesive layer 3800 may be formed between the base layer 10 of thebacklight unit 200 and the frame 14. In this case, the thickness of thedisplay device can be reduced by bringing the backlight unit 200 and theframe into further contact with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a supportercomprising at least one first hole; a plurality of substrates disposedon a first side of the supporter; a plurality of light sources disposedon each of the plurality of substrates; a plurality of first connectorsdisposed on each of the plurality of substrates; a plurality oftransmission lines disposed on each of the plurality of substrates, theplurality of transmission lines being configured to electrically connecteach of the plurality of first connectors and at least one of theplurality of light sources; a driving board disposed on a second side ofthe supporter and configured to supply a driving signal to the pluralityof light sources, the second side of the supporter being an oppositeside of the first side of the supporter; a reflection layer disposed onthe first side of the supporter, the reflection layer comprising aplurality of second holes corresponding to each of the plurality oflight sources; a second connector configured to electrically connect atleast one of the plurality of first connectors and the driving boardthrough the at least one first hole; an optical sheet disposed above theplurality of light sources; and a display panel disposed above theoptical sheet, wherein a size of the plurality of second holes isgreater than a size of the plurality of light sources.
 2. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of substrates include a firstsubstrate and a second substrate next to the first substrate, andwherein a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate isgreater than a width of each of the plurality of substrates.
 3. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first connectors aredisposed on each of the plurality of substrates in a same side of theplurality of light sources.
 4. The display device of claim 1, furthercomprising an adhesive layer disposed between the supporter and theplurality of substrates, wherein the adhesive layer is configured toattach the plurality of substrates to the supporter.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the reflection layer comprises: a firstportion overlapping with the plurality of substrates; and a secondportion overlapping with the supporter.
 6. The display device of claim5, wherein a width of the first portion is less than a width of thesecond portion.
 7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof first connectors are disposed on each of the plurality of substratesin an opposite side of the plurality of light sources.
 8. The displaydevice of claim 1, further comprising: a first resin layer covering theplurality of substrates and the plurality of light sources; and a firstshielding pattern disposed on the first resin layer.
 9. The displaydevice of claim 8, further comprising: a second resin layer covering thefirst resin layer and the first shielding pattern; and a secondshielding pattern disposed on the second resin layer.
 10. The displaydevice of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of protrusionsdisposed on the reflection layer, wherein a distance between a firstprotrusion and a second protrusion adjacent to the first protrusion isgreater than a distance between the first protrusion and a thirdprotrusion adjacent to the first protrusion, and wherein the firstprotrusion is disposed between the second protrusion and the thirdprotrusion.
 11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the secondconnector is a cable.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein aplurality of grooves are formed in the supporter, and the plurality ofsubstrates are positioned in the grooves.
 13. The display device ofclaim 12, wherein a depth of the plurality of grooves is greater than aheight from a bottom of the plurality of substrates to a top of theplurality of light sources.
 14. The display device of claim 12, whereina depth of the plurality of grooves is less than a thickness of theplurality of substrates.
 15. The display device of claim 12, wherein adepth of the plurality of grooves is less than a height of the pluralityof substrates.
 16. The display device of claim 5, wherein the firstportion of the reflection layer is spaced apart by a predetermineddistance from the plurality of light sources.
 17. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of substrates are separated from eachother.
 18. The display device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer isconfigured to include a thermally conductive material to transmit heat.19. The display device of claim 1, wherein the reflection layer isformed by coating a resin on an upper surface of the plurality ofsubstrates and the supporter.
 20. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe supporter includes at least one of a base layer and a frame.
 21. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the size of the plurality of secondholes is less than a size of a width of the plurality of substrates. 22.The display device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holdersdisposed on the first side of the supporter and configured to fix theplurality of substrates to the supporter.
 23. The display device ofclaim 6, wherein the width of the first portions is the shortestdistance between an edge of the plurality of light sources and an edgeof the plurality of substrates, and the width of the second portions isa distance of a gap between two adjacent substrates.
 24. A displaydevice comprising: a supporter comprising at least one first hole; aplurality of substrates disposed on a first side of the supporter; anadhesive layer disposed between the supporter and the plurality ofsubstrates, and attaching the plurality of substrates to the supporter;a plurality of light sources disposed on each of the plurality ofsubstrates; a plurality of connectors disposed on each of the pluralityof substrates; a plurality of transmission lines disposed on each of theplurality of substrates, the plurality of transmission lines beingconfigured to electrically connect each of the plurality of connectorsand at least one of the plurality of light sources; a driving boarddisposed on a second side of the supporter and configured to supply adriving signal to the plurality of light sources, the second side of thesupporter being an opposite side of the first side of the supporter; areflection layer disposed on the first side of the supporter, thereflection layer comprising a plurality of second holes corresponding toeach of the plurality of light sources; a cable configured toelectrically connect at least one of the plurality of connectors and thedriving board through the at least one first hole; an optical sheetdisposed above the plurality of light sources; and a display paneldisposed above the optical sheet, wherein a size of the plurality ofsecond holes is greater than a size of the plurality of light sources.25. The display device of claim 24, wherein the plurality of connectorsare disposed on each of the plurality of substrates on the same side ofthe plurality of light sources.
 26. The display device of claim 24,wherein the plurality of connectors are disposed on each of theplurality of substrates in an opposite side of the plurality of lightsources.
 27. The display device of claim 24, wherein the reflectionlayer comprises: a first portion overlapping with the plurality ofsubstrates; and a second portion overlapping with the supporter, whereinthe first portion of the reflection layer is spaced apart by apredetermined distance from the plurality of light sources.
 28. Thedisplay device of claim 27, wherein the reflection layer is formed bycoating a resin on an upper surface of the plurality of substrates andthe supporter.
 29. The display device of claim 24, wherein the supporterincludes at least one of a base layer and a frame.